Suture Retention Device With Spring-Loaded Gripping Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suture retention devices for percutaneous direct feeding methods, such as gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy tubes, lack a reliable mechanism to securely lock and adjust sutures, which can lead to unintended movement of the stomach or jejunum relative to the abdominal wall, potentially dislodging feeding tubes.
Innovation Solution
A suture retention device with a housing, sliding body, and spring mechanism that biases gripping surfaces to lock a suture in place, allowing for secure retention and adjustable tension, featuring a suture hole for the suture to pass through and an actuator to unlock and relock the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suture retention device is used to secure a suture, then the suture can be retained and the stomach or jejunum can be positioned properly, but the device lacks a reliable locking mechanism that allows for secure retention and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic locking mechanism with a movable locking element that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The spring-loaded gripping surfaces dynamically adjust to clamp onto the suture when locked, providing secure retention, while allowing free movement when unlocked for adjustment purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the gripping surfaces by moving them between engaged and disengaged positions. When the locking mechanism is activated, the gripping surfaces move into engagement to clamp the suture; when deactivated, they move apart to release the suture, enabling adjustment.
2Reliability
If a spring mechanism is used to bias gripping surfaces together, then the suture can be securely locked in place, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is designed to automatically bias the gripping surfaces together without requiring external actuation for the locking action itself. The spring self-generates the clamping force needed to secure the suture, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the spring provides both the biasing force and the locking action, while the movable locking element serves as both the actuator and the latch. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If the gripping surfaces are kept close together to lock the suture, then the suture is secured, but the suture cannot be adjusted or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surfaces are designed to be dynamically controllable, transitioning between a closed state for secure locking and an open state for adjustment. The movable locking element enables this dynamic behavior by allowing the user to switch between locked and unlocked states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable locking element acts as an intermediary between the user's adjustment action and the gripping surfaces. When activated, it mediates the transition from the locked state to the unlocked state, allowing the gripping surfaces to separate and release the suture for repositioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively secures sutures, preventing accidental release and allowing for precise adjustment of tension, ensuring the stomach or jejunum remains properly positioned against the abdominal wall during medical procedures, thereby maintaining the integrity of feeding tubes.
Implementation Method 1
A spring biases the sliding body toward one side of the inner cavity to enmesh a first and second gripping surface
Implementation Method 2
A suture extending through the suture hole is enmeshed with the first and second gripping surfaces in a locked state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A suture retention device is provided for retaining a suture. The device has a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, a spring biases a first gripping surface and second gripping surface together to enmesh a suture to prevent the suture from sliding through the device. In the unlocked state, an actuator may be engaged to bias the spring and separate the first and second gripping surfaces to allow the suture to freely slide through the device.